Encephalartos horridus 'Blue Cycad'

Seed grown in Southern California.  Native to South Africa’s Eastern Cape, this striking cycad is prized for its icy blue, sharply divided leaves and ancient, prehistoric appearance. Often called the Blue Cycad or Eastern Cape Blue Cycad, it belongs to one of the oldest groups of seed plants on Earth, with relatives dating back to the age of dinosaurs. Its dramatic color comes from a natural waxy coating that helps protect the plant from intense sun and dry conditions. In the wild, it grows in rocky, open habitats where drainage is excellent and rainfall is seasonal, making it a slow growing but incredibly sculptural collector plant.

Light 🌞
Provide bright light with several hours of direct sun. Strong light helps maintain its blue coloration and compact growth. Indoors, place it near the brightest window possible.

Watering 💧
Allow the soil to dry out well between waterings. This plant is drought tolerant once established and is more likely to suffer from overwatering than underwatering.

Soil 🕳️
Use a very fast draining mix, such as cactus soil amended with pumice, lava rock, or coarse sand. Excellent drainage is essential to protect the roots and caudex from rot.

Fertilizing 🧪
Feed lightly during the active growing season with a balanced, slow release fertilizer or diluted liquid fertilizer. Avoid overfeeding, as cycads grow naturally at a slow pace.

Repotting 🪴
Repot only when necessary, usually every few years. Choose a sturdy pot with drainage and avoid disturbing the roots too much, since cycads prefer to stay settled.